‘So Far So Good’: Mauer On Being Full-Time First Baseman

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The home opener brought a new season to Target Field on Monday, and it also marked a new era for Joe Mauer.

While it wasn’t the first time Mauer was introduced to the Target Field crowd as the Twins’ first baseman, he says that six weeks into his new full-time gig he’s playing often and feeling better.

“It’s something new every day,” Mauer said Monday morning. “The other day in Cleveland, I had my first double-play ball. I didn’t really have an opportunity to do that in spring training, so trying to get all those things, all those firsts out of the way, and try to execute it.”

If he’s doing those things, it means he’s in the lineup, and healthy. That is, after all, the whole point of his making the switch from catcher to first base.

“I think I’ve played more in spring training than I’ve ever played, and been in every game this season so far…so, so far so good,” Mauer said. “That’s my goal this year.”